Garment stretcher



Oct. 16, 1934. I A C, JACK v 1,977,066lv GARMENT STRETCHER Filed March lO, 1934 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 16, 1934 UNTED STATES PATENT orgies 8 Claims.

My invention relates to a garment stretcher; that is, to a form for supporting garments which, having been cleansed in liquid, are to be dried. I have developed apparatus particularly '5 adapted for drying womens suits of crocheted or knitted fabric, and the invention will be described asV it is embodied in such apparatus.

It will be understood that apparatus of this general nature is broadly old, and that my inl vention lies in specific elaborations and renne,- ments in structure. I have in mind the provision of apparatus which is readily adjustable to accommodate all the variations in dimensions in which garments for diierent persons vary. There are independent adjustments for variations in size of arms and bodice; the apparatus may be adjusted for bodices of different lengths, for bodices of different widths at the top, and different widths at the bottom, for different arm lengths and arm widths, and for skirts of various lengths, waist lines, and bottom widths. Conveniently, the apparatus comprises two independent portionsan upper portion and a lower. The upper portion of the apparatus is constructed in halves which are relatively swingable about a vertical axis, to'A facilitate the assembling of a coat, or a closed bodiced sweater or jacket thereupon. It is characteristic of the apparatus that all elements thereof normally extend in common plane, there being no protruding parts of such nature as tend to produce bulges in the garments stretched and dried thereon. It is additionally characteristic of my apparatus that the garments may be held in place thereon by means of snap-clothespins, thumb-tacks, or basting; and certain elements of the apparatus are adaptedto project 'below the garment secured thereon, to provide legs upon which the apparatus may stand while the garments are drying.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. I is a view in front elevation of the upperbody portion of the apparatus; Fig. II is a View of the same in elevation from above; Fig. III is a view in plan of a set of interchangeable elements for the upper body portion of the apparatus; Fig.

IV- is an isometric view of av pair of` such interchangeable elements, indicating howY they are assembled face-to-face for service inthe apparatus; Fig. V is a View partly in side elevation andv partly in vertical section of aspecialized fastener employed in the, apparatus; Fig. VI is a View in front elevation ofv theV lower portion of the apparatus; Fig, VII is a fragmentary View, comparable to Fig. VI, illustrating a modiiication; Fig. VIII is a View to larger scale, illustrating in cross section the structure of the apparatus on the plane VIII-VIII of Fig. I;

Fig. IX similarly illustrates the structure on the plane IX-IX of Fig. I; and Fig. X shows, to diierent scale, the structure as it appears on the plane X--X of Fig. I.

Considering rst the upper portion of the apparatus-the portion upon which coats, jackets, or sweaters are dried-it will be noted that a 55 central structure I is provided. This central structure comprises two members 1a and 1b which are swingably connected adjacent their top and bottom Aends by means of hinges 2. The central member la carries the elements which comprise one half of the structure, and the member 1b carries the elements which comprise the other half, and as so carried upon the two hinged central members la, 1b, the two halves of the structure are lrelatively swingable from a spread position, in which the halves lie in common plane (see full lines in Fig. II), to a position of coincidence (seeV dotted lines in Fig.

II which indicate the halves approaching such position of coincidence). The Value of this feature will be later described. Y

The elements carried by each of members la, 1b comprise companion arm members 3 and 4, a side member 5, and a cross member 6. The arm member 3 is, at its inner end, secured in 85 morticed joint to the upper end of centralmember la; at its outer end the arm member 4 is pivotally connected to the member 3, and at its inner end is adjustably secured to the central member 1a, by means of a screw fastener 7.

A screw fastener 8 adjustably secures the upper end of the side member 5 to the arm member 4, and fasteners 9 and 1.0 adjustably secure the opposite ends of the cross member 6 to the members 1a, and 5, respectively. Inasmuch as the 95 two halves of the structure are identical in this case, I have applied in each haii the same reference numerals to indicate identical parts.

To the ends in view the union of the outer terminals of` arm members 3 and 4 is particularly eiective. As indicated in Fig,V I, the arm members 3, 4 incline from spaced relationat their inner ends into contact at their outer ends.` The outer end of arm member 3 is chamfered or curved at 11, and rests with rocking engagement vupon the upper edge of arm mem,- ber 4.. The pivotal union of the outer endsof arms 3, 4 is eiected by means of a disk 13,l Fig, VIII. Opposed recesses 12 and 14 are formed in the arm members 3 and 4, and in no these recesses the disk 13 is located-approximately one-half or" the disk being located in each recess. The disk is rigidly secured, by means of rivets 15, to the lower arm member 4, and is pivotally secured to the upper member 3 by a pin 16. llhus, it will be understood that the arm member 4, in being vertically adjustable at its inner end, may be angularly shifted relatively to the member 3. Accordingly, adjustment may be made for variations in sleeve width of the garments to be treated.

The adjustable union of the inner end of the arm member 4 with the central member la, the union or the member 5 with arm member 4, and that of the cross member 6 with each of the members 5 and la are of common nature, insofar' as they all admit of adjustment, and all cooperate in permitting the members la, 3, 4, 5, and d to extend in common plane. A minute consideration of the union of side member 5 with arm member 4 will serve generally for all the adjustable unions mentioned immediately above.

The arm member 4 is provided with an elongate recess, or two-sided groove 1'7, and the upper end of the member 5 is morticed to provde a terminal tongue 18 (Fig. 1X) which lies in the groove. The proportions are such that the member 5 is flush with the member 4. A slot 19 is formed in the recessed body or" the arm 4, and the fastener 8, extending through the tongue and slot, holds the parts in such position.

As shown in Fig. V, the fastener comprises an internally threaded tube 2o having a thin, flat head 21, and a threaded shank 22 which in service extends into the tube 2Q. .The screw shank 22 has a thin, kerfed head 23, whereby a screw driver, a coin, or other convenient instrumentality may be employed to adjust the screw in the tube. IX illustrates the position of the screw fastener in service. 1t will be observed that the tube 2o projects through the slot 19 and into the tongue 18 of member 5; the two heads 21 and 23 lie against the opposite outer faces of the arm 4 and tongue 18, respectively; the tube 2) is shorter than the aggregate depth or the slot 19 and tongue 18, whereby the screw 22 may be run in, and the tongue 18 and arm 4 clamped in secure position between the heads. Upon loosening the screw fastener, the upper end of side member 5 may be adjusted longitudinally of the arm member 4, i. e. the member 5 may be adjusted laterally of the central member 1a. The opposite ends of the cross member 6 may in such manner be adjusted longitudinally of the members la and 5, and the inner end of arm 4 may be adjusted longitudinally oi the member la.

I have referred to the member 6 as a cross member; as a matter of fact the member 6 comprises two complementary elements 6a and 6b, to the end that the eiective length of the member (elements da, 6b) may be varie Advantageously, the members 6a, 6b are identical, each comprising a flat, round-ended body having a terminal orifice 6c (Fig. 1V), an elongate slot 5d extending parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis or the member, and a side oriiice 6e located adjacent one end of the slot and offset on the opposite side or said axis an interval equal lto the interval of oiset of the slot. The duplicate structure of the elements 6a, 6b

is important, in that it permits one machine set-up to be used in production. In assembly, the two identical elements 6a, 6b are reversed, so that the side orice 6e of element 6a overlies and registers with the slot 6d in the element Gb, and the oriiice 6e of element 6b registers with the slot in the element 6a. A screw fastener 24 (Fig. X) is installed in each orifice 6e, and projects through the slot 5d in registry therewith. It will be understood that one fastener 24 is immovably stationed (in orifice 6e) in each of the elements 6d, 6b, but, due to the slots 6d, the two elements may be relatively adjusted axially, when the screw fasteners are loosened. This organization alfords a very strong union of the two elements 6a, 6b when the fasteners are tightened, and aiords means for readily varying the eiective length of the two elements. Due to the particular organization described, there is no possibility of the elements shifting out of alignment, nor of the fasteners, when loosened, from sliding along the slots 6d and becoming disarranged. In such organization, the opposite, outer ends of the elements extend from the assembly, whereby the fasteners 9, 10 may be projected through the orifices 6c, to secure the elements to the members la and 5 (cf. Figs. I and X) It will be observed that the member 1a is grooved in the front (17a) and the side member 5 is grooved in the back (17h) to admit of assemblyin common plane (of. Fig. X).

Preparatory to using the apparatus, the fasteners l'I are loosened and each oi the members 4 is swung to the position in which the interval from the bottom edge of such member (4) to ihe top edge of `the companion member 3 substantially equals the sleeve width of the garment to be dried. Then the screws 7 are tightened. Next, the upper ends of the side members 5 are adjusted longitudinally of the arm members 4, whereby the equivalent chest or bust dimension of ihe garment is provided in the frame. The cross members 6 are adjusted vertically of the members 1 and 5, so that such members 6 will lie within and even with the bottom of the garment placed on the apparatus. And then the lengths of cross members 6 are adjusted in the manner aheady explained, to regulate the bottom width of the side members for the bottom of the garment. Then, the garment is placed on the frame, as the dotted lines G indicate;Y the garment is stretched taut, and snap-clothespins of well-known structure are secured upon the garment along the edges of the frame. The clothes-pins are used on the arms 3, 4 to hold the ends of the sleeves in place; clothes-pins are employed along cross members 6to hold the bodice of the garment taut on the frame; indeed the cloihes-pins are readily installed wherever vneeded to keep the garment evenly stretched and taut on the frame.

The particular hinged structure of the apparatus is exceedingly valuable in simplifying the assembly of the garment thereupon. The halves of the frame are swung upon the hinges 2, and brought .almost to coincidence, as indicated in Fig. Il.V The relative positions of the frame halves make it an easy matter to slip the sleeves of the garment upon the arm members 3, 4 and then to slip the bodice of the garment down and over the body members 1, 5 of the frame. Then the frame halves are swung open and the garment is stretched, ready for such minute adjustment as is accomplished by the use of clothespins. Hence, the ordinarily difficult task of pulling the garment into place upon -the frame is greatly facilitated.

While it is possible to construct the apparatus of meLal, in the best interests of economy and utility I have particularly adapted it for construction of wood, say of maple. Accordingly, in cases where the particular fabric oi the garment will permit, it is possible to employ thumb tacks, instead of clothes-pins to secure the garment upon the frame. I also contemplate bast- -ing (rough stitching) the garment in place upon the frame.

1n cases in which there is great variation in the sizes of the garments being treated, say in a commercial dry-cleaning establishment, one set or cross members 6 may not afford a sutilcient range oi adjustment or Jthe apparatus. In such event, I supply several auxiliary sets of eleu ments which may be interchanged with the cross members 6. The two cross members 6, as mentioned, comprise four elements (6a, 6b, 6a, 5b; Fig. X), and with each apparatus, I ordinarily supply three sets of elements 6a, 6a and 6u. Fig. III illuslrates one element of each set, there being, of course, four elements in each set. So, it will be understood that the interchangeable elements 6a, 6c', 6a" admit oi great range of adjustment in my apparatus.

The lower portion of the apparatus is designed in this case for the stretching and drying or skirts, and comprises two side members 26 united at their upper ends by a cross member 27, and adjacent their lower ends by a cross member 28. The cross members 27 and 28 are each constructed as the cross members 6 are constructed, whereby the interval between the tops of the side members 26 may be varied for diierent sizes of waist line in the skirts being dried, and the interval between the lower ends oi the side members may be regulated for variations in skirt flare or bottom dimension. The side members are each grooved at 29 and 30, to receive the ends of the compound cross members, in the manner already described in connection with the side members 5 and cross members 6, and the lower of the cross members-member 28-is vertically adjustable on the side members 26. A slot 3l in each side member admits of such adjustment. Alternately, the side members 26 may be provided with a series of holes 32 in close juxtaposition, and the fasteners 33 may be withdrawn to admit or" movement of the cross member 28. Upon selection of appropriate holes 32, and ihe securing therein of the fasteners 33, the cross member 28 may be secured in desired position longitudinally of the members 26. (In like fashion a series of holes 32 may be employed in place of the slots 19 in the upper portion of the apparatus.) k

In service the cross member 27 is adjusted in length so that the waist ofV the skirt assembled upon the form is drawn taut and nat across the side members. The cross member 28 is adjusted vertically on the side members to such position that the bottom hem of the skirt is about even with the bottom edge` of such cross member; the cross member is also adjusted as to length, so that the bottom or `the skirt is held taut, and the inclination of the side members 26 corresponds to the lare of the skirt. Clothespins are used to secure the waist band of the skirt to the cross member 27, and such pins are also installed at intervals to secure the bottom of the skirt to the cross member 28. Maniestly, the skirt may be drawn taut Vmember,

vertically of the frame and held' so by the clothesnpins, while the initial adjustment of the frame is so determined that the skirt is tau transversely of the frame.

In both the upper and lower portions of the apparatus the side edges, over which the ,garments are drawn, are round as indicated at 34 in Figs. VIH, IX, and X, so there will be `no objectionable'wrinklcs or creases in the dried garment. As mentioned in the case ofthe cross members 6 in Fig. I, one or more sets of auxiliary elements may be provided as substitutes for the cross member 27; that is, if the range or waist adjustment for the garments is insuicient in the single pair oi elements forming the cross member, auxiliary sets may be provided with each apparatus.

Another feature of the apparatus` merits observation. In Aboth the upper and lower portions of the apparatus, the side members extend below the garment assembled thereon, proy viding legs upon which the frame may be stood,

leaning against a wall or other support.

I claim as my invention:

l. A garment stretcher formed substantially of wood, said garment stretcher comprising two side members, and two spaced-apart cross'members extending between said side members, means for severally adjusting the lengths of said cross members, each cross member including at its opposite .ends a terminal tongue of less thickness than the thickness of the cross each of said side members being grooved to receive the terminal tongues of said cross members, whereby the side members and cross members lie in substantially common plane, a passage through each tongue of said cross members and passages in said side members for severally registering with the passages in said tongues, and screw fasteners severally extending through the registering passages in the tongues and side members for pivotally uniting the members, said screw fasteners each having opposite low heads lying substantially flush with the opposite faces of said assembled members.

2. The structure of claim l, in which each cross member comprises elements relatively movable -for adjusting the length of the cross member, and having screw fasteners of said structure :for securing the relatively movable elements in adjusted positions.

3. The structure of claim l, in which each of said side members includes means for receiving a screw fastener, said means extending l longitudinally of said tonguereceiving groove leo ilo

las

in the side member, whereby said cross members v may be relatively adjusted longitudinally of said side members.

4. ln a garment stretcher, the combination of V a vertical central member, a pair o arm members extending oppositely from the sides of said central member, each pair of arm members comprising an upper and a lower member which converge outward from said central member and l iso per ends of said side members may be adjusted longitudinally of said lower arm members, and adjustable cross members spaced an interval below said lower arm members and connecting said central member with said side members.

5. The structure of claim Ll, in which said cross members comprise two sets of relatively adjustable elements, one set extending from each side member to said central member, and means for adjusting each of said sets of elements longitudinally of said central member and side member associated therewith, whereby the two sets of elements which comprise the cross members are severally adjustable in length and vertically of the central and side members.

6. In a garment stretcher, the combination of two vertical central members hinged together to swing about a Vertical axis, a pair of arm members extending laterally from each central member, each pair of arm members comprising an upper and a lower member, means for slideably securing the inner end of each lower arm member to its associated Central member, a side member spaced an interval laterally from each central member, pivotal means for slideably securing each side member to one of said lower arm members intermediate the opposite ends of the last-named member, and a cross member interconnecting each central member and side member an interval below the lower arm member connected thereto, said cross members being adjustable in length, and means for slideably securing the cross members to the central and side members 1espectively` '7. In a garment stretcher substantially constructed of wood, including two opposed sets of arm members, a side member extending downward from each set of arm members, and adjustable cross members extending between said side members, the combination of means for slideably securing one or" said members to another, said securing means comprising a tongue extending rom, and of reduced thickness relatively to, one of tbe members, an elongate groove formed in an associated member for slidably receiving said tongue, a second elongate groove formed in the last-mentioned member, said second groove extending in length with said rstmentioned groeve and extending in depth transversely el the first-mentioned groove, and a fastener projecting 'through said tongue and said second groove.

In a garment stretcher or form, an adjustable member comprising two complementary elements eaeh including a slot, and an orice offset from the slot, the orice of one elementl registering with the slot of the other, and a fastener extending through each set of registering slots and or ees, whereby said fasteners are secured against lateral displacement and said elements are relatively adjustable.

ARTHUR C. JACK. 

